Cold Feet

CHRISTINE

After the skank leaves, I turn on Rick.

“What the fuck was that?” I ask.

“Hey,” he says. “I didn’t do anything. You saw what happened.”

“How the hell did you meet that skank?”

Rick decides to omit their history. “She works with Lara. Lara asked her to step in after James’ stroke. You know she hasn’t been at work since his stroke.”

“Well, what the hell? Am I supposed to believe that she just decided to try and kiss you right now? How long have you been working on the wedding together?”

“Christine,” Rick says putting his hands on my shoulders. I brush him off. “Listen, it wasn’t my choice. Lara recommended her after James’ stroke. I trust Lara’s judgement. I had no idea she was going to do that.”

Rick can’t be honest. He thinks it will just make Viola’s situation worse. In all honesty though, he hadn’t tried to do anything.

“What the hell is wrong with your shirt?” I ask realizing that it’s wet.

“She spilled coffee on it.,” I reply.

“Oh how sweet. So she could pretend to wipe it off and feel you up?” I ask cynically.

“Actually, I think it was an honest mistake,” Rick replies.

“What, are you defending her now?” I ask. I’m looking for someone to vent on and he’s the only one in the room.

“Chris, calm down please. It’s over. She’s gone and …”

“You’re damn right she’s gone,” I say. “I’m calling Lara.”

Rick wants to object but he doesn’t. He knows there’s no point. It’ll only make matters worse. I dial Lara and when she answers I first ask her about James. She tells me he hasn’t improved. I then proceed to tell her what just happened and tell her I demand that she fires Viola.

Lara is shocked and struggles to believe it. I put Rick on the phone and he confirms what happened. He hands the phone back to me and Lara tells me, she’ll let Viola go and apologizes. I apologize to Lara as well because I know she has no other back up which means she’ll have to return to the office to run the business herself.

Then I grab Rick and take him home. That night we make love like we have not made love in a long while and I realize I have been neglecting him for Grady. I realize I need to be careful or I could blow this.

calls me after Viola has visited her office and returned the company laptop and phone. I apologize to her again for putting her in the predicament she’s in now.

and I begin to make sure I spend more time with Rick. He asks me to keep the next weekend open and I guess that’s the wedding day.

do you mean you think it’s

does that and since I told him to arrange everything for the wedding, I’m guessing this is

Grady asks. “Haven’t I proved myself to you enough? How much is it going to take before you decide I’ve

first time. Who broke my

you that already?” Grady asks,

but it’s not your decision to make. You agreed to

I’m beginning to think that maybe

that supposed to mean?” I ask as my temper

with another asshole on the side isn’t doing either of us any favors. Even worse, you’re planning to marry him but will leave him just like this,” Grady snaps his fingers, “if you decide you want to be with me. Why do you want to endure the shit

flares. “Who the hell cheated on who the first time? Now you know what it’s like but you’re squealing like a little child! You’re

apartment,” Grady

me I know where the door is?”

“Maybe,” he replies angrily.

behind me and head for the elevator lobby. I call the

see down to the lobby of the hotel. I press the button for the ground floor and look down at the

makes it into the lift just in time. He spins me round to face him and before I can do anything he pulls me close and kisses me. It takes me a moment before I respond. I have wanted Grady since I saw him again and as much as I have been denying him sex with me I have been denying myself. I’m crazy with desire and at last I respond to his kiss. Our mouths melt together as our fingers find each other’s neck or hair to stroke or grab. Our breathing accelerates and we sound like

me in disbelief

“Fuck!’ I say.

it?” Grady asks. He wants to look where I’m

a decision quickly. “Don’t get out of the elevator with me. Go back up. Don’t

“Why? What’s the matter?”

I tell him. “I’ll call you later.” Out of the corner of my eye I can see Lara moving toward the elevators. I hope I can get out before she get’s to them. I don’t want her to see Grady. She knows him. This just got so

on the elevator panel and presses the close door button. The doors start closing as Lara rounds the corner. Her face is like

reaches me,

the hell was that?” she

she’d

just kiss Grady

what you think it is. He just grabbed me and kissed

It didn’t look a whole lot like you were

to you but he’s strong. I promise you he’ll think twice about trying to